Chapter Seventeen: Thinking Over

LuffyGirl here.

I hope everyone is doing o.k and is staying safe, indoors, social distancing and staying healthy and all those safety and precautionary things. It's going to be a long ride but we can make it through this.

With that little bit being said…

This chapter is short and it's kind of jumbled but thoughts in real life are jumbled therefore this chapter is jumbled just like how this sentence is jumbled. Also, jumble is a funny word when you think about it.

(P.S: I think Thatch got a hold of this A/N)

Summary: Marco stays up all night thinking about what Ace told him.

Disclaimer: One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda :)

Enjoy :3

"Marco, I'm gonna get really real with you right now. From what I can tell, you two seem to have something that won't be broken know matter what. You two do an awesome job managing your daily lives, family and relationship. It's nice that you guys cook for each other and cuddle but you both need proper alone time together. I'm sure that vacation was great but take the time to go out more now, eat dinner, watch a movie. Or go to a dinner theater or a spa or both. You guys have been together for nearly six years now. None of us are forcing you two get married but at some point, you're both gonna have to settle down. You guys aren't getting any younger. It's time you two start thinking about the future after the future."

Marco sat there feeling the most conflicted he's ever felt. He was very surprised by Ace's seriousness and tone. When did he get so mature and insightful? Marco also felt confused, a little upset and just… a lot of conflicting emotions. He never really thought about the far future.

And now he felt a little scared.

XXX

To say Marco couldn't sleep was an understatement.

He couldn't sleep at all.

Ace fell asleep hours ago and Thatch fell asleep around twelve and it was now four in the morning.

At one point, Marco made himself some tea but not even that helped. His mind was clearly thinking about what Ace told him. However, it's what Ace said last is what got to him the most.

"None of us are forcing you two get married but at some point, you're both gonna have to settle down. You guys aren't getting any younger. It's time you two start thinking about the future after the future."

That's what currently made Marco lay awake tonight.

He did want to marry Thatch. Very much so. But he never even thought about settling down. He never even thought about what to do in the far future when they are older.

Has Thatch thought about it?

As far as Marco knew, Thatch didn't seem too keen on marriage.

Did Thatch not see him as someone worthy of marrying?

Marco shook his head.

Thatch told him his reasons but what if those reasons changed? What if Thatch did want to get married but just wasn't sure?

But whether they did or didn't, what would they do after that?

The topic of children never really came up either.

Did Thatch even want kids? He's never brought it up. Has he even thought about it?

Personally, Marco would love to adopt at least two.

Marco wanted to talk to Thatch about certain things but never knew how to bring them up and never knew the right time.

Now there were even more things to talk about.

But bringing up marriage during there vacation almost ruined it.

Which is why Marco never really brought it up again.

Marco sighed quietly.

How was he supposed to bring up topics without him and Thatch bickering or arguing? When was the right time? Will there ever be a right time? Will he end up waiting too long or too late?

"What the hell, man." Marco said to himself feeling frustrated and of course, exhausted. He looked at the time.

Five a.m.

'Guess I'll be surviving on coffee today.'

Things are gonna happe~n. Eventually.

Stay safe out there everyone.